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HI THERE...

I'm Salila, a generational Ayurveda Healer, Ayurvedic Nutritionist, Chef, Educator & Yogi based in Mountain View, CA.

Through my wellness travel concierge Ayurgamaya, I provide tailored Ayurveda and yoga wellness journeys to India and Bali for an immersive experience.

For my work in promoting yoga and Ayurveda, I was recognized as an ambassador by AYUSH, India’s health ministry. I have appeared on London Real TV, and am quoted in Washington Post, MindBodyGreen, Authority Magazine, Popsugar, Screenshot, and Money Magazine, among others.

I come from a matriarchal Ayurveda lineage from Kerala, South India, and share my knowledge through Ayurvedic courses, client programs, workshops, and more. I learned Ayurveda from the elders of my family and enjoy demonstrating how simple rituals can bring profound shifts in overall health.

LINEAGE

Some of my Vaidya Ancestors

  • Kunjan Panicker Vaidyan - a physician to the Travancore Royal House, and my great grandfather. He had his own Ayurveda academy - Sabha Madham, a high distinction among Physicians, allowed only through Royal decree.

  • Kurumba Amma Vaidyar, my great grand mother, Kunjan Panicker Vaidyan's wife, an Ayurvedic physician who practiced openly and made client visits, not allowed within the existing societal limitations on women.

  • Kunjamma Vijayan Vaidyar, my paternal grandmother, an Ayurvedic physician. She has been the greatest influence on me.

  • Palmanabhan Shanti, my maternal grandfather's brother, an Ayurvedic physician who was also a priest, and an actor! Many Ayurvedic physicians from a couple of generations ago were colourful characters.

  • Pappiamma Vaidyar, my maternal great grand mother, an Ayurveda physician

  • Raghavan Vaidyar, my maternal grandmother's brother, an Ayurveda physician.

A FEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF MY VAIDYA ANCESTORS

Being part of an Ayurveda lineage helps me experience and share Ayurveda rituals on a whole new level. 
My great grandfather Neelakandan with his first wife Koma my great grandmother, are in the front. Great grandfather was a proficient Kalari martial arts practioner and a wealthy businessman. He owned Srikantha Vilasam Hotel, a place where traders stayed overnight as they came to Allappey, Venice of the East, to trade in cattle.
The young lady in the back is my grandmother Vasumathi who showed me how to make goat butter for arthritic bones. I still prescribe this remedy to clients :-)
To the right is my grandfather Vijayan, an avid botanist & herbalist, his garden of herbs was my first playground and he is the reason why I have a life long love of herbs.
My Great-grandmother Kurumba Amma Vaidyar (My grandmother Kunjamma's Mother).
Here she is with her brother-in-law Kunju Asan, also an Ayurveda Physician & Acharya. 
I feel deeply connected to Great grandma Kurumba Amma, as she has a powerful life story. She lived on her terms till the very end, in service to her patients. I will be sharing snippets of her story and the story of my ancestors, through my newsletters to help you learn Ayurveda, just like I did.
My Grandmother Kunjamma Vaidyar, the one who laid the love of Ayurveda in me. The one whose company I enjoyed during summer vacations, watching her make medicines, weaving soft mats for drying gulika tablets of herbs. I was her shadow as she went about her day, chanting mantras, harvesting herbs, and quietly healing. She has been the greatest influence on me.

MY STORY

As far back as I remember, the women folks in my family have greeted herbs as if they were important friends. To my family, identifying herbs, and talking about their medicinal properties comes easy. No trip anywhere is complete without the excitement of finding an exceptional plant. No journey ends without requesting for a cutting and watching it grow strong in our garden.
 
My family is hardly unique. Two generations ago most educated Indians were knowledgeable Griha Vaidyas, healers, as well. Like you, I too was cut off from our traditional healing knowledge for many decades. Through poor health and utter desperation, Ayurveda was my steady light.
 
At the end of my quest was the reward, a much deeper, more meaningful relationship with myself and others. I wish for you the joy of homecoming as I have experienced it.
 
My goal is to make the next seven generations proud bearers of our Ayurvedic heritage. With these courses, I wish to share with you Ayurveda as I have understood it, as I have learned it. An essential skill for daily connection to what is life-giving. That which brings a glow to our faces and instills quiet confidence in our ability to live well.
 
My promise to you is that in these courses you will find the essence of my experiences. All that took shape in me from my upbringing all over India, my Yogic training, and my pre-medicine background. From one eternal student of the great science of life, Ayurveda, to another, I wish you happy learning.

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EDUCATION

  • Solid scientific grounding with an Undergraduate degree in Botany and Biochemistry (Pre-meds)
  • Degree in Nutrition from IHM, New Delhi
  • Chef training and experience leading multiple professional kitchens
  • Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy Certificate, LMU Munich
  • 500 Hr Ananda Yoga & Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training
  • A life long student of Ayurveda, Sanskrit & Yoga
  • Ongoing weekly education from prominent Vaidyas
  • Multilingual, fluent in English, Hindi, Malayalam, and speak a smattering of Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu.

ACCOLADES


NUTRITIONIST & CHEF

  • Graduated as Nutritionist
  • Chef training from NIHM, New Delhi
  • Worked as a chef for 3+ years
  • Trained in Pregnancy Nutrition

MORE

I have my own podcast where I share little gems of Ayurveda every now and then. I have been fortunate to have meaningful, & impactful conversations with many wonderful souls - Ayurvedic practitioners, trainers, Ayurvedic enthusiasts.

Check out my Freebies for my podcasts, journal, and more.

If you'd like me to speak on your Podcast, write an article, or interview me, hit me up.

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PEERS & GURUS WHO VOUCH FOR ME...

I have had some beautiful interactions with Salila Sukumaran in the recent times, while discussing the potential impact of Ayurveda on a global platform. Salila’s passion and deep knowledge of the subject immediately takes the conversation to deeper levels. She goes beyond the physical aspects of health, and offers wisdom on the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of this science too. Her knowledge of medicinal herbs, ayurvedic principles is solid gold! 

Salila’s teaching can inspire an entire generation towards good health, just as I am inspired and find something new to learn from her each day.Much appreciation and strength to you, to continue on this path of spreading the knowledge of this ancient science.

DR. DIMPLE JANGDA

Founder of Prana Healthcare Center & Prana Academy

Ayurveda is a science that is closely affiliated to Yoga and meditation. Yet this science is not known to many. Salila opened the doors to my understanding of the Ayurvedic way of life. Her videos and teachings are a wealth of information. She is generous with her time and patient with the many questions that people have. 

Some months ago, I interviewed Salila on Ayurveda & Menopause. Her suggestions were simple yet deeply informative not just on lifestyle, but also on the science behind the many teachings. I have no hesitation in recommending Salila as a Teacher and an Ayurvedic practitioner. 

DR. DESCHU SAHAYAM

Mb BS MRCP MRCGP (2008) MBA- Healthcare

I met Salila Sukumaran in 2015 when she came to Sitaram beach retreat for a panchakarma treatment. Her commitment towards learning and bringing awareness on the healing powers of Ayurveda is remarkable. Her own healing journey with ayurveda made her realise how to guide people the right way with empathy and wisdom. Her roots from Kerala, India and her exposure as a global citizen makes her understand how to integrate Ayurveda into a modern lifestyle in the right manner for any persons best health goals. 

I highly recommend Salila for giving the right advise whether it is for your Ayurveda retreats in india or to integrate Ayurveda into your lifestyle for your overall health and wellbeing as an Ayurvedic healer. 

DR. VIGNESH DEVRAJ

Founder & Chief Physician of Sitaram Beach Retreat

Salila is herself package of affection, love, empathy and truthfulness. Really I don't know how to appreciate Sali with limited words. Since last few years she has been performing alchemy by baptizing people into Yoga, Ayurveda and to nature. 

The speciality in her, I found is, she is always updating her knowledge, & asking questions. No one feels disappointed after meeting her. 

YOGI NAVEEN

Yogi of Sivananda lineage

Ayurveda diet and lifestyle is a deep rooted wisdom which is practiced by families across Kerala. It was passed on from grandmothers & mothers, and it played a huge role in maintaining the health of the family. Unfortunately Millennials have lost this wisdom and  there is a huge disconnect from their roots. 

Salila, within her capacity, is helping us revive those roots. And I wish her all the best in her mission to help people reconnect back to their roots.

DR. APARNA PADMANABHAN MD PHD AYURVEDA

BAMS, MD PhD Ayurveda

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